Validity of the Controlling Nutritional Status score as a Nutritional Assessment Tool early after stroke

Malnutrition is relatively common in stroke survivors and it also affects weight loss and muscle strength. Various nutritional assessment tools have been used to monitor changes in nutritional status. Among such tools, the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a convenient and cost-effective index calculated from serum albumin level, total peripheral lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol level. This study investigated the prognostic role of malnutrition, as assessed by the CONUT scoring system. We hypothesized that malnutrition negatively affects outcomes as expressed by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor or Berg Balance Scale (BBS) change in stroke patients. This was a retrospective cohort study involving 117 individuals including first-time subacute stroke inpatients from March 2017 to February 2020. All participants were evaluated with BBS and FIM. We used multiple linear regression analysis with backward stepwise selection to examine the association between CONUT and changes during rehabilitation. After adjusting for independent predictors, we found the CONUT score to be associated with FIM motor (B = -1.848 ± 5.811, P < 0.001) and BBS change (B = -2.035 ± 0.424, P < 0.001). The present study showed that the malnutritional status calculated by the CONUT score at admission might help to predict the functional outcomes of stroke patients. The CONUT score is a comprehensive and feasible marker that could provide information for the nutritional management of stroke patients to significantly improve their clinical outcomes.